Things to do in Cordova
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Alaska River Rafters
Alaska River Rafters operates rafting and kayaking trips at Sheridan Glacier, on the Copper River and elsewhere in the area; they have guided half-day trips, ranging to multiday packages that include everything from hiking to flightseeing.
The Copper River flows for 287 miles, beginning at Copper Glacier near Slana in the Interior and ending in the Gulf of Alaska, east of Cordova. Most of the river is for experienced rafters, as rapids, glaciers and narrow canyons give it a white-water rating of Class II-III much of the way. The 20-mile stretch between Million Dollar Bridge and Flag Point, at Mile 27 of the Copper River Hwy, is considerably wider and slower. Below Flag…
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Small-Boat Harbor
In Cordova, the standard greeting among locals is 'Been fishing?' Unsurprisingly, the harbor is the community's heart, humming throughout the season as fishers frantically try to meet their quota before the runs are closed. The fishing fleet is composed primarily of seiners and gillnetters, with the method used by the fishers determining the species of salmon they pursue. The former primarily target pink salmon, while the latter, generally one-person operations, go for kings and reds early in the season and silvers later on.
Watching over the hubbub is the Cordova Fisherman's Memorial, a quiet place dominated by artist Joan Bugbee Jackson's sculpture The Southeasterly…
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Prime Select Seafoods
Every summer, Cordova's population swells with youths hoping to make a mint canning salmon on 30-hour shifts. Whether you're curious about the effects of sleep deprivation on adventurous teenagers or just want to see how some of the finest salmon in the world is processed, ask at the chamber of commerce about canneries offering tours. You can watch your own catch get processed at Prime Select Seafoods, a smaller-scale operation that packs salmon and ships it to your home.
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Prince William Sound Science Center
The dockside Prince William Sound Science Center has a few interpretive panels outside that, among other things, will help you untangle the fisherfolk's strange lingo, which is laced with words like 'openers,' 'IFQs' and 'sternpickers.' Inside there's not much for visitors save for an impressively enormous gray-whale skull suspended from the ceiling.
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Mt Eyak ski area
The small but much-loved Mt Eyak ski area, just a quick walk from town, features an 800ft drop, 118in of natural snow annually, and runs that accommodate everyone from novice snowboarders to world-class skiers. The most famous attraction is the vintage ski lift from Sun Valley, Idaho.
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Cordova Museum
The Cordova Museum has a small but intriguing collection that ranges from when the Russians arrived in the area to a heart-wrenching display on the Exxon Valdez oil spill. It will also store your pack during the day.
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Cordova Coastal Outfitters
If the ocean is your thing, Cordova Coastal Outfitters, in a cabin behind the AC Value Center, rents kayaks and arranges guided tours in placid, pristine Orca Inlet north of town.
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Alaska River Expeditions
Alaska River Expeditions offers a full-day bus tour to Childs Glacier ($85) or a half-day raft and hike adventure to Sheridan Glacier ($95).
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Ambrosia
On the hillside downtown, Ambrosia serves Italian standards like veal parmigiana and chicken marsala, and has a not-too-shabby wine list.
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Baja Taco Wagon
Graft a bus onto a cabin, add flowers and nautical implements, and what do you have? The best fish-taco stand north of San Diego.
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Picnic Basket
This spot does cheap, down-home cooking beloved by the cannery crowd - try the pork-chop sandwich or salmonberry pie.
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Anchor Bar
Across from the small-boat harbor, this is your basic watering hole that's open 'as long as there are fish.'
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Ilanka Cultural Center
The Ilanka Cultural Center has a small but high-quality collection of Alaska Native art.
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SerendipiTea
This spot has fresh-baked treats, soups and light lunches, and organic grocery items.
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Bidarki Recreation Center
You get a shower plus all-day use of the sauna and the fitness room.
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Powder House Bar
Features folk and country music along with its grub and drinks.
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Killer Whale Café
Serves hearty breakfasts and fresh soups, wraps and sandwiches.
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AC Value Center
A supermarket with a deli, espresso bar, ATM and Western Union.
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